Kimberly's Guidebook
Park
This beautiful park is a little over 1 mile away. Perfect for an early morning walk, or an evening stroll after dinner with the pups. There are two small lakes for fishing, small playground, ball fields, picnic shelters and tables with grills.
This park is just beautiful and so close by! Needing somewhere close by for a picnic? Wanting to get the dogs out of the house for a short trip? Needing a small playground for the young kids?
27 locals recommend
Charles D Owen Park
875 Warren Wilson RdThis park is just beautiful and so close by! Needing somewhere close by for a picnic? Wanting to get the dogs out of the house for a short trip? Needing a small playground for the young kids?
This might be the best playground in all of western NC. It’s just lovely. Playground spread out with river running through. Bring a picnic and towels and shoes that will allow for water play!
19 locals recommend
Robert Lake Park
317 Texas RdThis might be the best playground in all of western NC. It’s just lovely. Playground spread out with river running through. Bring a picnic and towels and shoes that will allow for water play!
Azalea Road Dog Park
498 Azalea Rd EDog park about 10-15 minutes away.
French Broad River Park
508 Riverview DrVery small dog park, but close by. Behind old BiLo building in Black Mountain (behind Starbucks). Drive around the large building to the left.
Riverwalk Park
205 NC-9Very small dog park, but close by. Behind old BiLo building in Black Mountain (behind Starbucks). Drive around the large building to the left.
Sightseeing
Known as “America’s favorite scenic drive”. Perfect for a slower paced outing with guaranteed amazing views! Our favorite section is hop on in East Asheville near the VA Hospital and drive North. This takes you towards Craggy Gardens and Mt Mitchell with lots of pull offs in between!
757 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Parkway
3884 Blue Ridge ParkwayKnown as “America’s favorite scenic drive”. Perfect for a slower paced outing with guaranteed amazing views! Our favorite section is hop on in East Asheville near the VA Hospital and drive North. This takes you towards Craggy Gardens and Mt Mitchell with lots of pull offs in between!
The Folk Art Center (Southern Highland Craft Guild)
382 Blue Ridge PkwyCraggy Gardens Visitor Center
364 Blue Ridge PkwyOne of our all time favorite sunset hikes, even though it will likely be crowded. Go on a weeknight, and venture towards the right when the trail branches off to find grassy area to put your blanket.
143 locals recommend
Craggy Pinnacle Hike
3641 Blue Ridge PkwyOne of our all time favorite sunset hikes, even though it will likely be crowded. Go on a weeknight, and venture towards the right when the trail branches off to find grassy area to put your blanket.
Mount Mitchell
Sky Top Orchard
1193 Pinnacle Mountain RdWe just love this orchard!
Climbmax Climbing at the River
173 Amboy RdClimbing gym!
Largest home in America. Beautiful gardens and grounds. Plan to spend the day!
1485 locals recommend
Biltmore
1 Lodge StLargest home in America. Beautiful gardens and grounds. Plan to spend the day!
The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted WayWNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek RdSmall nature center, perfect for families with kids.
River Arts District
3 River Arts PlNeighborhoods
Grovemont
Awesome playground for families! It’s located right beside the Swannanoa library.
Food scene
Fantastic breakfast if you need to grab something quick! Everything is made right here, bagels, pastries, muffins, quiches, biscuits. (The quiches are the absolute best!). You can also opt to eat here, or sit outside!
26 locals recommend
Four Sisters Bakery
136 N Dougherty StFantastic breakfast if you need to grab something quick! Everything is made right here, bagels, pastries, muffins, quiches, biscuits. (The quiches are the absolute best!). You can also opt to eat here, or sit outside!
Open Oven Cafe
102 Church StLocal favorite! Cute, smaller feel. Outdoor seating options!
This place is loved by locals and tourists!! Amazing breakfast!
88 locals recommend
Blue Ridge Biscuit Company
601 W State StThis place is loved by locals and tourists!! Amazing breakfast!
Fantastic breakfast! Lots of outdoor seating options. The breakfast quesadilla or burrito is a fav!
102 locals recommend
Louise's Kitchen
115 Black Mountain AveFantastic breakfast! Lots of outdoor seating options. The breakfast quesadilla or burrito is a fav!
The Dripolator Coffeehouse
221 W State StOne of the best local coffee shops!
Dynamite Roasting Company
3198 US-70Our favorite place to get locally roasted coffee!!
Closest and best place to eat in Swannanoa! Outdoor seating and take out options. Try the fried pickles!
37 locals recommend
Okie Dokies Smokehouse
2375 US-70Closest and best place to eat in Swannanoa! Outdoor seating and take out options. Try the fried pickles!
Really good BBQ, perfect for larger groups. Huge (covered) outdoor seating area!
16 locals recommend
Phil's Bar-B-Que Pit
701 NC-9Really good BBQ, perfect for larger groups. Huge (covered) outdoor seating area!
A favorite among locals and also travelers. Gluten free options as well. Outdoor seating options.
83 locals recommend
My Father's Pizza & Pasta
110 Cherry StA favorite among locals and also travelers. Gluten free options as well. Outdoor seating options.
Trail Head Restaurant & Bar
207 W State StBest burgers!
Veranda Cafe & Gift
119 Cherry StLocal fav for soups and sandwiches.
If you are driving by, you might miss it. Very small, but best Cuban sandwiches around!
40 locals recommend
Cousins Cuban Cafe
108 Broadway AvenueIf you are driving by, you might miss it. Very small, but best Cuban sandwiches around!
Call ahead, or check hours online before you go. Great lunch option off the beaten path (but expect a wait on a Saturday). Great burgers!
10 locals recommend
Mac's
104 West StCall ahead, or check hours online before you go. Great lunch option off the beaten path (but expect a wait on a Saturday). Great burgers!
Thai Basil
227 W State StBest take out Thai!
This is one of our all time favorite places to eat. Go early, or expect a line, but it’s worth it. 20 minute drive from Bee’s Knee’s. There is a great park behind this spot, perfect for letting the kids play after you eat!
This is our fav location, but another location in West Asheville.
69 locals recommend
Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack South
3749 Sweeten Creek RdThis is one of our all time favorite places to eat. Go early, or expect a line, but it’s worth it. 20 minute drive from Bee’s Knee’s. There is a great park behind this spot, perfect for letting the kids play after you eat!
This is our fav location, but another location in West Asheville.
Really unique tacos (and delicious). Several locations around town, our fav locations are the one on the river (for the view), or the one South Asheville (if we want to avoid a crowd).
440 locals recommend
White Duck Taco Shop
388 Riverside DrReally unique tacos (and delicious). Several locations around town, our fav locations are the one on the river (for the view), or the one South Asheville (if we want to avoid a crowd).
This is our number 1 favorite restaurant in all of Buncombe County. It’s just so consistently good. Order at counter and then sit outside. You can also call in an order and drive up to window to pick up.
82 locals recommend
Taco Temple
132 Charlotte StThis is our number 1 favorite restaurant in all of Buncombe County. It’s just so consistently good. Order at counter and then sit outside. You can also call in an order and drive up to window to pick up.
Best burrito place (fast food)! If you are downtown Asheville, look for it!
88 locals recommend
Mamacita's Taqueria
77-A Biltmore AveBest burrito place (fast food)! If you are downtown Asheville, look for it!
Amazing BBQ, known for ribs and tasty sides. Famous for being Obama’s favorite place to eat when he comes to town!
Two parts, brewery on one end and restaurant in the other. Large and can accommodate larger groups.
91 locals recommend
12 Bones Smokehouse SOUTH
2350 Hendersonville RdAmazing BBQ, known for ribs and tasty sides. Famous for being Obama’s favorite place to eat when he comes to town!
Two parts, brewery on one end and restaurant in the other. Large and can accommodate larger groups.
New Belgium Brewing Company
21 Craven StLarge open air venue for enjoying a beer, or a complete meal. Perfect if you find yourself down in Old Fort, it’s about 20 minutes away from Bees Knees
166 locals recommend
Hillman Beer
25 Sweeten Creek RdLarge open air venue for enjoying a beer, or a complete meal. Perfect if you find yourself down in Old Fort, it’s about 20 minutes away from Bees Knees
Delicious Caribbean food. Several locations in Asheville. Gluten free options!
589 locals recommend
Nine Mile
233 Montford AveDelicious Caribbean food. Several locations in Asheville. Gluten free options!
We love this South Asheville location because it is easy to get into. Delicious burgers, try the pimento cheese fries! My favorite is the salad with a burger patty. Yum!
21 locals recommend
Farm Burger South Asheville
1831 Hendersonville RdWe love this South Asheville location because it is easy to get into. Delicious burgers, try the pimento cheese fries! My favorite is the salad with a burger patty. Yum!
East Village Grille
1177 Tunnel RdThis small breakfast/lunch place is a local favorite. It usually isn’t busy, you can go in and get wonderfully fresh ingredient breakfast/lunch tacos. Sunny and clean dining area, or takeout options. Highly recommend. (If you go at breakfast, add the breakfast potatoes to your taco! They are so good.)
The Clean Plate: Black Mountain
3206 U.S. 70This small breakfast/lunch place is a local favorite. It usually isn’t busy, you can go in and get wonderfully fresh ingredient breakfast/lunch tacos. Sunny and clean dining area, or takeout options. Highly recommend. (If you go at breakfast, add the breakfast potatoes to your taco! They are so good.)
Ultimate Ice Cream Company
195 Charlotte StHomemade ice cream that is SO delicious!
Great Mexican Food, wonderful patio by creek out back for outdoor seating!
49 locals recommend
Ole's Guacamoles
401 E State StGreat Mexican Food, wonderful patio by creek out back for outdoor seating!
This is a new restaurant that has already won over locals! Close by (in Swannanoa). Open every day. Amazing burgers, casual feel. Carry out available! Try the Brussels!
Loott House
204 Whitson AvenueThis is a new restaurant that has already won over locals! Close by (in Swannanoa). Open every day. Amazing burgers, casual feel. Carry out available! Try the Brussels!
Outdoor adventures!
This is a really fun, bmx and mountain bike park. Some covered areas for riding, some downhill sections.
Indoors, a beautiful large climbing gym!
Bike park and climbing gym! Our family frequents here regularly! You can rent bikes or climbing gear here as well.
49 locals recommend
The Riveter
701 Old Fanning Bridge RdBike park and climbing gym! Our family frequents here regularly! You can rent bikes or climbing gear here as well.
Kolo Bike Park
85 Expo DrAdventure Center of Asheville
85 Expo DrShopping
Just outside of entrance to Biltmore Estate is this cute small ‘village’ with lots of shopping options!
26 locals recommend
Historic Biltmore Village
10 Brook StJust outside of entrance to Biltmore Estate is this cute small ‘village’ with lots of shopping options!
Medical care
Range Urgent Care - Black Mountain
201 NC-9Largest hospital in Western NC, and just so happens to be the closest.
32 locals recommend
Mission Hospital
509 Biltmore AveLargest hospital in Western NC, and just so happens to be the closest.
Mission My Care Now - Biltmore Park
310 Long Shoals RdAnother urgent care, no appointments needed.